The document discusses leading mentally healthy schools. It defines mental health and mental illness, noting that mental health problems can negatively impact student well-being and functioning. Examples of mental illnesses are provided. The document discusses achieving optimal mental health with or without mental illness. It outlines TVDSB's strategic mental health plan and goals to create stigma-free, staff capacity building, and mentally healthy learning environments. Characteristics of mentally healthy schools are discussed, and a case study on accommodating a student receiving medical treatment is presented. The importance of staff wellness is covered, and mental health resources are provided.
4. What’s in a name?
What does mental health even mean?
5.
6. “Mental health problems are emotional, behavioural,
and brain-related difficulties that may have a negative
impact on the students’ well-being and interfere with
their functioning at school, at home, in the community,
and in social settings. Development, school attendance,
academic achievement and relationships with family
and friends may be affected”
Leading Mentally Healthy Schools, 2013
Mental Health Problems
7. Mental illnesses are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood
or behaviour associated with significant distress and impaired
functioning. Examples include:
■Mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder)
■Schizophrenia
■Anxiety disorders
■Personality disorders
■Eating disorders
■Problem gambling
■Substance dependency
Public health agency of Canada, www.phsc-aspc.gc.ca
Mental Illness or Psychiatric Disorder
8. Optimal mental
health with
mental illness
Optimal mental
health without
mental illness
Poor mental
health with
mental illness
Poor mental health
without a mental
illness
11. Every school within the Thames
Valley Board will be a mentally
healthy school
TVDSB Strategic Vision
12. TVDSB Goals
Stigma Free Learning environments
Building Staff Capacity
Promoting Mental Health & Wellness
13. What does this mean to you?
How would you know that a school was mentally healthy?
What would distinguish it from other buildings?
What would be happening in a mentally healthy school?
What does it look like, sound like, feel like?
What is an administrator doing differently in their
building in leading a mentally healthy school?
What is a Mentally Healthy School?
18. • Student under doctor’s care
• Will miss approximately ½ day/week for
medical treatment (for at least the next two
months)
• No obvious physical limitations (student is
mobile)
Case Study
19. • Depending on severity of the side effects of the
treatment, student may also be absent for the
remainder of the day and following day
Common side effects of treatment include dizziness,
nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, foggy thinking,
memory difficulties
Case Study Cont’d
20. • How do you plan for this student?
• How do you accommodate academically
knowing they will miss at least ½
day/week ?
Case study questions
21. • Does it matter what the diagnosis is?
• Would your commitment to
accommodating the student’s needs
change if it was a physical health
problem vs. a mental health problem?
Bias reflection
23. Research suggests educators experience
more stress than many other professions.
This is especially true with a large
proportion of students with high mental
health needs
Leading Mentally Healthy Schools, p. 88
Stress and burnout
25. Leading Mentally Healthy Schools
Supporting Minds
Classroom Strategies for Supporting Students
with Mental Health Concern
School Mental Health Assist
Understand Me: TVDSB Strategic Mental
Health Plan
Resources
26. The Power of Positive Self-Talk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg
